Virtue and Vanity: Continuing Story of Desire and Duty (9 page)

Andrew paced in the parlor for the next hour as Lady Georgiana, Sarah, and
Maria  tried
to keep a conversation going. Laura remained in her room and the household staff reported that they could hear anguished sobs coming from her quarters.

Finally, the general arrived and was promptly escorted to Sir Thomas’ study. The group waiting in the parlor grew more agitated as they anticipated the general solving John’s dilemma. Their hopes for an immediate solution were dashed as an hour passed. Georgiana tried to settle the group back into a semblance of peaceful waiting, “Sometimes, dear Thomas can be verbose.”

“I just hope the general does not still hold a grudge against our family for the way they treated Uncle Thomas before your marriage,” Andrew said.

Georgiana smiled at Andrew, “You may rest your mind from that worry. The general, while not overly fond of the English as a whole, has come to respect and care a great deal for the Darcy family.” She patted Sarah’s hand as she added, “The
D’arbley’s
treat Thomas and
myself
as though we were their children. The general would assist Thomas in any way he could, even if John were his personal enemy.”

Andrew sank into a chair. “Then John must be in a grave situation, indeed, if two such diplomatic men cannot think of a way to extricate him.”

Booted steps were heard approaching. Lady Staley, Andrew and Sarah all stood, huddled together, to await the news. Thomas entered and gave Georgiana a brief hug. “Let us sit down and I will tell you the hope General
D’arbley
has offered.”

Sir Thomas continued, “The prefect of police is the general’s friend. If Captain Wiley’s wound does not appear fatal to an independent opinion of a second surgeon, then John can be released into our custody.”

Georgiana gasped, “Surely, we can find such a second opinion if the captain is in condition to be threatening a second duel.”

“I assume there would be additional conditions of his release.” Andrew said.

“Yes, but he would be out of that filthy place.” Thomas took Georgiana’s hand and continued. “If. . . no, when, he is released, he will have to remain with us a week and then, if all continues to go well, I can claim diplomatic immunity for John and he may leave the country if he promises never to return.”

Chapter Thirteen

John enjoyed traveling, but rarely did he look
so
happy as when the Staley’s took him, Andrew, Laura, and Maria to board the ship for their return to England. “I never thought I would feel this thrilled at the prospect of returning home to Pemberley,” John said as he gave Sarah a brotherly hug goodbye.

“And, at the start of your visit, we never thought we would be so delighted to see you leave our home!” Thomas laughed as he patted the young man on the back. “You were always a quick study John--I hope you learned this lesson well.”

“Yes, sir,
“ said
John, then glancing at Laura, he added, “but, I am still not sure what I would have done differently.”

“Talk to your father, John,” Georgiana said. “He is a very wise man.”

“I will,” he said as he returned her hug. Looking at both Sarah and Georgiana, he said, “I still cannot believe two such elegant ladies visited me in prison. Thank you.” He quickly moved on to tease the Staley children one last time. He picked Anna up and swung her around while she squealed with delight. Gently setting her down, he turned to Edgar.

The boy extended his hand for a manly goodbye. “Thank you for giving me pointers on fencing.”

John shook the proffered hand. “Just remember what trouble I got into by being too willing to fight. Save the fencing for tournaments.”

“Yes, sir.”

“You were an excellent companion on our courier adventure. Without your sharp ears we might never have found the cascades.”

“Thank you, sir.” Edgar’s eyes glowed with pleasure.

Laura embraced Sarah in a tender hug and quietly said, “I have certainly learned a lot during my visit to Paris.” She pulled back and looked into Sarah’s eyes. “It was such a help to have you with me during this trying time. . . I never have appreciated you, little sister; but, well, thank you.”

Sarah could hardly believe this was the same Laura who had arrived in Paris a few weeks ago. Perhaps, someday, she and Laura might become friends.

Maria moved in to say goodbye to Sarah. “This is such a joyful
homegoing
compared to what it might have been.”

After saying goodbye to the children, Andrew shyly approached Sarah. He did not hug her, but reached out and clasped her hands. “Thank you for all your help. You have a gift for nursing. . . I shall never forget the sight of you kneeling in that filthy cell to care for John. I am glad we are friends again.”

“So am I.”

“May I write to you?”

“I would enjoy receiving correspondence from you,” Sarah replied shyly. She stood with the Staley family as the ship pulled away, taking the Darcy offspring and Laura back to England.

As Sarah held out a hand to assist Anna into the carriage, the little girl looked up at her and said, “Why are you crying, Sarah? Mama said we were happy Cousin John was able to go home.”

Surprised to find a tear streaking down her face, Sarah gave a shaky smile, and said, “I must be so happy that I am crying. That happens sometimes.” Satisfied with the answer, Anna settled into the coach next to her brother, Edgar.

Chapter Fourteen

The city settled into a peaceful routine following the short-lived revolution. While the embassy dealt with many problems, none were as exciting as assisting with getting permission for the king to go to England for his exile.

Encouraged by the sale of her first poem, Sarah began her first novel. She used quiet moments in the evening to work on her story.  The children enjoyed playing in the
Tuilleries
; so, she often had opportunity to sit in the shade and write while watching the children.

Each letter from her cousin Andrew made the day special for
Sarah,
and for the children as well, since she often shared the missives with Edgar and Anna. Andrew frequently mentioned some scientific fact or curiosity that Sarah could use in teaching the children about the world they lived in.

John was not much of a correspondent. He was often at sea as he began to rise stepwise in the command of the merchant ships he sailed on. When he was at home in Derbyshire, between voyages, he would add a note, with his typical bold flourish, onto Andrew’s letters. Edgar particularly enjoyed John’s notes.

Laura never wrote, nor even replied to Sarah’s infrequent letters to her. Maria wrote to Sarah, though not as regularly as Andrew.

Sarah had made few personal acquaintances while in Paris, so she was rather surprised when a servant announced that she had a visitor waiting in the family
parlor.
. .usually callers wanted to see Sir Thomas and Lady Staley.

She told her maid to watch over the children while she attended to her guest and then quickly checked her toilette before going to the parlor and asked a servant to bring a light tea for her guest.

Entering the room, she felt more like the guest than the hostess as Madame Duval greeted her. “Sarah, my dear, I do hope I am not imposing by visiting when you did not send me your card or request a visit; however, I have such a splendid opportunity to share with you that I simply had to come straightaway. Please join me here on the couch.”

“You are most welcome here any time,” Sarah said as she took her seat. “Would you like me to send a servant to call Lady Staley to join us?”

“No, indeed, her presence is not necessary and I am sure she is busy with other duties. I came with the intent of talking to you.” Noticing Sarah’s uplifted brow she patted the young woman’s hand and continued, “There is nothing to worry about, my dear. In fact, I bring wonderful news!”

Relaxing a bit, Sarah said, “I shall be pleased to have you share your good news with me.” Seeing the servant waiting to enter the room, she nodded to indicate permission and then said, “Shall we take tea while we chat?”

Sarah poured the tea while Madame Duval began, “Please do not make a rash decision about my request since, as I once told you, our French customs are quite different than what you are used to.”

“I have been called many things, but rash is not one of them.”

“Excellent! Then you will keep an open mind. This is such a wonderful opportunity that I wanted to share it with you before I place the advertisement.”

“The advertisement?”

“Yes. As you know, I enjoy my role as a matchmaker.” Clasping her hands together she continued, “Blossoming love is such a joy to watch; and, what a thrill to know that my actions help to bring it about.”

“Who are the fortunate people you have brought together?”

“Oh, I was talking in general terms. I am afraid I get so caught up with the excitement that I have gotten sidetracked from the point of my visit. Now, I came to tell you about a fine gentleman who is widowed. He has at least one child and is seeking a new wife. Wisely, he has asked my assistance in making the acquaintance of an appropriate young lady.” With a huge smile she continued, “I had just written up an advertisement to place in the newspaper on his behalf when I realized that you would be perfect! So I came directly to tell you about him.”

“I am sensible of the honor of your consideration in this regard, but I am not sure I wish to
marry.
. . at least not in the near future. I am quite content with my writing and caring for the Staley children and. . . .”

Madame Duval said, “Of course you do not wish to show interest in
marrying.
. . but, I have learned to pay little heed to such statements. I warrant that introduction to the right man will change your opinion. Now, let me tell you about this gentleman. Your future with him would be secure. He is a count, with a beautiful country estate.” Spreading her hands for emphasis she continued, “I have been told that his chateau is so large as to almost be called a castle.”

“A count.
I would not be appropriate for a man of such rank.” Sarah mused aloud, “If he is interested in meeting me, perhaps he is like Laura’s supposed Marquis.”

With a laugh, she said, “Do not concern
yourself
about that. In contrast to the prior escapade, I have thoroughly researched this gentleman. You are exactly what he is looking for; and, his family is well-known here in France. General
D’arbley’s
villa is not far from his.”

“Oh,” said Sarah simply.

Undeterred by Sarah’s unenthusiastic response, Madame Duval continued, “He is in his late thirties and quite a handsome man.”

Caught up in the story, Sarah mumbled, “Looks are not that important to me.”

“Of course not,” the matron replied with a smile, “but they certainly should not be held against the man.
Oui
?”

“
Oui
.”

“He is known to treat his servants well. . . .” She went on to detail his many attributes and then said, “He is looking for a quiet woman who could be happy living in the country. He is not concerned about her station in life, but he does need someone who has been in society enough to know how to play the role of hostess.” With a pat on Sarah’s hand she said, “After living here at the embassy, you have learned much about being a hostess and I know your first choice would not be to live in a large city all your life.”

“That is true,” Sarah quietly said.

“But of course. I have an eye for matchmaking. You fit his desires perfectly,” Madame Duval continued. “He desires someone of fine moral fortitude, who likes
children.
. . someone well educated. . . . You see, I have thought of everything. I know you have been concerned
that  men
do not want a woman of intellect, but the count must feel differently if he asked for a woman with education! Will you consider meeting him?” she pleaded.

All was quiet for several moments. Sarah took a sip of her now cool tea and quickly set it down. She looked intently at her guest, “I cannot believe I am not refusing outright. . . .”

“It is your sense of adventure, I daresay.”

Smiling ruefully, Sarah said, “Perhaps you are right.” In a somewhat uncertain voice she asked, “Where would such a meeting take place?”

“The count will be in Paris for the ball next week. Your initial meeting could be there, so you would be well chaperoned, and if either of you are not interested you could easily spend your time with other people or cut the evening short.”

“That sounds like a good idea.” Thinking for a moment Sarah asked, “If, perchance, we did have some interest, when would we meet again? I would not want to be rushed in such an important decision.”

“Apparently the count is not eager for immediate marriage since he said that after the ball, the remainder of his time in Paris will be taken up with business. If further meetings are to be scheduled, he would like me to bring the young lady to his chateau in a fortnight.”

“I am glad he has business in Paris other than to find a wife. That way he will not have wasted a trip if I decide. . . I mean if the young lady decides not to pursue a relationship,” Sarah said. “If I meet him at the ball and decide I do not wish to become further acquainted, what happens to your role as matchmaker?”

“I would then put the advertisement in the paper and begin to sift through the deluge of respondents.”

“So I would be under no pressure? My attending the ball would not imply any commitment on my part?”

“Of course not, my dear,” Madame Duval answered with excitement as she perceived that Sarah was actually considering the meeting. “Sometimes even expert matchmakers like
myself
make mistakes. My role is to provide an introduction for appropriate people and then they decide if they want to pursue a relationship.” With a wink, “If you don’t like the count, it may still be of use to you by providing an interesting story to add to your novel.”

Sarah thought, Madame Duval certainly knows how to persuade
me.
. . and then she smiled, “Perhaps you are right.” Refreshing their teacups, she said, “If Aunt Georgiana finds it acceptable for me to do so, I will agree to go to the ball.”

“Wonderful!” Madame Dual exclaimed. “I am sure you will find the count intriguing.”

“Please, do not get your hopes up too much. I am quite content with my life as it is.”

“Yes. Yes, but when you meet the right man you will soon change your notion of contentment.”

“Perhaps so,” Sarah said wistfully.

Throughout the week preceding the ball, Madame Duval visited almost daily–giving Sarah suggestions about her upcoming visit to the ball. In an early visit, she encouraged Sarah by saying, “I am acquainted with a lady whose beauty, taken in the common acceptation of the word, would not obtain her a second look, but in the elegance of her manners, in the dignity of her carriage, in the taste and disposition of her attire, and in the thousand inexpressible charms which distinguish the gentlewoman, she is so powerful that none can behold her without captivation.”

Sarah responded, “To whom are you referring?”

Her visitor replied, “To you, of course. Sarah your unstudied manner brings a wonderful feminine attraction that the French coquet cannot even
approach.
. .; however, I would suggest attention to your walking. The gracefulness of a French lady’s step is always a subject of commendation.” Madame Duval then had Sarah walk back and forth several times and with a little coaching was quite pleased at her charges response.

On another visit she gave Sarah a recipe for skin cream, with instructions to use it regularly.

Finally, sensing that she was making Sarah nervous, she said, “Just
be
your delightful self, my dear. I am sorry for giving you so many commands these last few days. I am a silly old woman and sometimes forget that a beautiful young girl does not need to overly decorate herself. Decide for yourself what to wear and simply plan to enjoy the ball whether you find the count attractive or not.”

Sarah relaxed then and found herself looking forward to the meeting as an adventure. Lady Staley and Sir Thomas had encouraged her to at least meet the count, saying, “You are part of our family and we love having you with us; but, we would delight in seeing you happily settled. If you do not go to the initial meeting, you would wonder for the rest of your life if the count might have been the perfect match for you.”

“You look lovely, my dear,” Sir Thomas said as he personally handed Sarah up into Madame Duval’s finest coach. “The poor man will likely be groveling at your feet before the evening is through.”

Sarah smiled at her uncle as she settled into the luxurious carriage. “You are too kind, Sir Thomas.”

“When you arrive home, please join us in the upstairs parlor and tell us about your adventure.” Nodding to Madame Duval, he said, “Take good care of our girl.”

“If I let anything but good happen to one of your family members, Sir Thomas, the General would have my head.” With that she laughed and signaled the driver that they were ready.

“I am glad you will be with me this evening. I find myself more nervous than I anticipated and will appreciate leaning on you as we make our entrance.
My
french
still has many shortcomings.”

“Oh, my dear,” said Madame Duval. “I will stay as close to you as possible, but we must make our entrances separately so you receive the proper attention as you are announced.” Patting Sarah’s hand, she continued, “Do not worry. I will go first and await you at the start of the reception line. Simply pretend you are one of the characters in this novel you are writing–filled with poise and a spirit of adventure.”

Sarah laughed shakily, “I shall try my best. Indeed, the night does seem to be filled with an air of excitement.”

They continued to chat through the remainder of the brief journey. Soon they arrived at their host’s home and Sarah stood aside as she watched Madame Duval gliding into the room. Sarah took a deep breath and prayed for poise and grace as she heard her own name announced and tried to follow the example set. She was truly thankful for Madame Duval’s presence as she successfully reached the end of the stairs and reached for the portly woman’s arm. The two smiled at each other as they proceeded to the reception line.